Read first time 01/25/13.   Referred to Committee on Labor Workforce Development.

     AN ACT Relating to changing the employment security department's settlement authority; amending RCW 50.24.020; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 50.24.020 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 23 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commissioner may compromise any claim for contributions, interest, or penalties due and owing from an employer, and any amount owed by an individual because of benefit overpayments((, whether reduced to judgment or otherwise,)) existing or arising under this title in any case where collection of the full ((claim, in the case of contributions, interest, or penalties, would result in the insolvency of the employing unit or individual from whom such contributions, interest, or penalties are claimed, and any case where collection of the full amount of benefit overpayments made to an individual)) amount due and owing, whether reduced to judgment or otherwise, would be against equity and good conscience.
     Whenever a compromise is made by the commissioner in the case of a claim for contributions, interest, or penalties, whether reduced to judgment or otherwise, there shall be placed on file in the office of the unemployment compensation division a statement of the amount of contributions, interest, and penalties imposed by law and claimed due, attorneys' fees and costs, if any, a complete record of the compromise agreement, and the amount actually paid in accordance with the terms of the compromise agreement. Whenever a compromise is made by the commissioner in the case of a claim of a benefit overpayment, whether reduced to judgment or otherwise, there shall be placed on file in the office of the unemployment compensation division a statement of the amount of the benefit overpayment, attorneys' fees and costs, if any, a complete record of the compromise agreement, and the amount actually paid in accordance with the terms of the compromise agreement.
     If any such compromise is accepted by the commissioner, within such time as may be stated in the compromise or agreed to, such compromise shall be final and conclusive and except upon showing of fraud or malfeasance or misrepresentation of a material fact the case shall not be reopened as to the matters agreed upon. In any suit, action, or proceeding, such agreement or any determination, collection, payment, adjustment, refund, or credit made in accordance therewith shall not be annulled, modified, set aside, or disregarded.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state or the eligibility of employers in this state for federal unemployment tax credits, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and the finding or determination does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state or the granting of federal unemployment tax credits to employers in this state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Section 1 of this act applies retroactively to January 1, 2013.